Dakila and Active Vista, in cooperation with Artikulo Uno, came to the FU campus July 31 to conduct a forum on heroism and nation-building.
The forum included a movie preview on the Indie film Heneral Luna at the James B. Herring AVR.
The speakers of the forum were award-winning film director Prof. Jerrold Tarog of the University of the Philippines-Manila; Alvin Campomanes, one of the main actors in the film; Epy Quizon, and Therene Quijano, a Dakila volunteer.
Dakila and Active Vista are on a tour of universities in the country, promoting the film Heneral Luna, and sharing thoughts on nation- building and genuine heroism.
The movie Heneral Luna is a biography of Gen. Antonio Luna (John Arcilla), commander of the revolutionary army, who knows the way of the war. After 300 years as a Spanish colony, the Philippines must face a new foreign power trying to overtake them: the United States of America. Wanting to fight for his motherland and freedom, General Luna wishes nothing but to be a completely independent and unified country, away from the Spanish and Americans. However, members of the elite cabinet want to cease all fighting, to strike a deal with the Americans, and to form an agreement between both parties. Faced with much pressure from the outside by the Americans and inside by the politicians, the fighting is fierce. However, General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Emilio Aguinaldo (Mon Confiado). Ultimately, it is the General’s legendary temper and pride that brings him to his death when he is assassinated by a pack of Presidential guards in broad daylight. While American newspapers blame Aguinaldo, the mystery of General Luna’s assassination was neve rcompletely solved, and his killers were never put to justice.
The movie tells the story of General Luna whose love for his own motherland and sole purpose was to fight her independence, led to his own tragic death by being betrayed by the very own people he fought for. The passion and dedication, led to many drastic actions and decisions, which many felt unnecessary and deemed dangerous. Characterized as hot-blooded, was one of the many traits that made him the renowned and notorious General he is known for today.
When asked what inspired him to do the film, Director Tarog said, “The character of Antonio Luna is very fascinating because we have never had an anti-hero in Philippine cinema before,” referring to a “hero with lots of negative traits”.
He said he is “very positive” the youth would appreciate the movie because of the novelty factor in doing a historical film.
Actor Campomanes shared his knowledge on the history of the Philippines, and the real story behind the film. He also shared about how the Filipino people felt before and how they found their identity as citizens.
The questions during the open forum centered on the film’s conceptualization, the inspiration behind it, and its impacts on the viewers, especially the youth.
Heneral Luna will be shown in cinemas nationwide starting Sept. 5. (Ivan Cordevilla)
